About Florence

Florence is considered one of the most beautiful cities in Italy. Located in the heart of Tuscany, this is the Italy of stunning views, fields of sunflowers, miles of vineyards, rolling hills and mountaintop castles. It is the Renaissance capital of the world. Its famous sons are Leonardo DaVinci, Dante Alighieri, Machiavelli, Fra Angelico and Michelangelo. It is a destination not to be missed.

Dominating the Florence skyline is the world famous Duomo (Cathedral Church) with the Brunelleschi cupola, Giotto's Bell Tower and the bronze sculpted doors of the marble-clad Baptistry. The side streets of the historic town centre are often narrow and dark, with bustling sidewalks and intimidating crowds and traffic.

Florence has a population of around half a million inhabitants, spreads on the banks of the Arno, between the Adriatic and the Tyrrhenian seas, almost in the middle of the Italian peninsula. It is a city which bustles with industry and craft, commerce and culture, art and science. The climate is temperate but rather variable, with breezy winters and hot summers. The Chianti area, between Florence and Siena, is one of the most beautiful countryside in Italy and a famous wine production area.

Florence contains an exceptional artistic patrimony, glorious testimony to its secular civilization. Today it includes many specialized institutes and is an international cultural centre. Academies, art schools, scientific institutes and cultural centres all contribute to the city's intense activity.

Congress Information

Badges
A name badge will be provided on-site with your registration documents. Name badges must be visible and used at all times anywhere within the Congress Centre.

Certificate of Attendance
A certificate of attendance will be included in the Congress bag together with some instructions. It is to be filled directly by the participant.

CME
The organisers have applied for Continuing Medical Education credits for full attendance to the European Accreditation Council for continuing Medical Education (EACCME). The EACCME is an institution of the European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS). EACCME credits are recognised by the American Medical Association towards the Physicians' Recognition Award (PRA). Delegates wishing to claim CME points must fill in the CME evaluation form (to be found in the delegate's bag) and place it in the “Evaluation Box” located at the registration area.

Cyber Café & Wi-Fi
A cyber café sponsored by Nutricia is available in the Exhibition area, in the ground floor of the Main Pavilion of the Fortezza da Basso, stand n°16. Furthermore, wi-fi is available upon purchase of a wi-fi password at the registration area (EUR 35 per password).

Congress Documents
The Congress documents should be collected on-site at the registration desk during opening hours, at the Florence Congress Centre.

Disclaimer
MCI Suisse SA as the Congress planner and the ESPEN committees claim no liability for the act of any supplier to this meeting, nor liability for personal injury, the safety of any attendee while in transit to or from this event, for any loss or damage, for delays in transport by air, sea, rail, road, weather, in case of strikes, sickness, war or other causes.

Exhibition Information
The ESPEN 2008 exhibition, featuring commercial displays of International Organizations, Pharmaceutical Companies, Media Publishers and Scientific Societies, will be located at the ground floor in the Main Pavilion of the Fortezza da Basso which is part of the Firenze Fiera “Congress & Exhibition Centre”. Coffee breaks and lunch boxes will be distributed around the exhibition.

Exhibition Schedule

Exhibition Area
View Exhibition Area
View Ground Floor
View Lower Floor

Food & Beverage
Coffee/tea and cookies during official breaks are included in the registration fee and will be served around the exhibition area. There is a small bar opposite the exhibition area, which will be opened during the Congress opening hours. A lunch box will be offered to each registered delegate (not to the accompanying persons) on Sunday 14 and Monday 15 September around the exhibition area.

Italian Pharmaceutical Companies
ESPEN 2008 has chosen AISC & MGR - AIM Group to collect, on our behalf, all applications from Italian Pharmaceuticals Companies and file them with the appropriate Italian Health Ministry officials.
For further information, please contact:

Languages
English is the official Congress language. No translation is provided.

Lost and Found
A lost-and-found service is available at the registration desk.

Messages
Participants can use the message board located in the registration area.

Mobile Phones
Delegates are kindly requested to keep their mobile phones in the off position in the rooms where scientific and educational sessions are being held, as well as during poster sessions' rounds.

Official letters of Invitation
Should you require an official letter of invitation to obtain your visa to enter Italy, please contact the Congress Secretariat, MC Suisse SA. Please note, however, that the Organisers do not undertake any obligation to pay any expenses incurred by supplying these letters. Furthermore, for some countries, a confirmation of registration with payment may be asked by the authorities.

Registration desks’ opening hours

The desks for registration, information and distribution of documents is open as follows:

Poster Sessions
Posters sessions will be located in the lower floor of the Main Pavilion of the Fortezza da Basso which is part of the Firenze Fiera “Congress & Exhibition Centre”. They should be mounted on the assigned board in the Poster Display area. Please contact the Posters desk (in the registration area) for the necessary material. The author should be present in front of his/her poster during Poster viewing for free discussion.

Registration
All participants, including speakers and chairmen, must submit a completed registration form.

Smoking Policy
The ESPEN 2008 Congress wishes to be a non-smoking event. Participants are kindly requested to refrain from smoking in the Congress venue, including the exhibition area.

Speaker's Preview Room
The Speakers' Preview Room is located in the ground floor of the Main Pavilion of the Fortezza da Basso which is part of the Firenze Fiera “Congress & Exhibition Centre”. Speakers are asked to give their PowerPoint presentations to the Speaker's Preview Room centre at least two hours before their session. The Speakers' Preview Room is opened as follows:

Other General Information

Climate and Clothing
Florence lies at the feet of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, in a hollow not far above sea level. It is partially surrounded by splendid hills, while a broad plain opens out to the west, through which the
River Arno flows. The climate is continental, with fairly cold winters and relatively high humidity, which also makes itself felt in July and August, the hottest months, when many Florentines head out into the nearby hills to cool off. The average temperature in September varies between 15ºC and 25ºC. Average annual rainfall is 830 mm. You can visit www.weatheronline.co.uk in order to have details on the current weather.

Communication
For international calls to Italy, dial the international code +39 and the correspondent’s number (with the 0). Emergency number: 118/ Police: 112

Credit cards / Cash machines
Credit cards are widely accepted in Florence by numerous hotels, restaurants, shops and petrol stations. The accepted credit cards are indicated by their logos displayed on the exterior facade of the respective business (usually on the entrance door). Cash machines are easily available in most areas, and also inside the Congress Centre.

Currency
Euro notes come in denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500. It is often difficult to get change for a Û500.00 note. One Euro is divided into 100 cents or centimes. Coins of 1, 2 and 5 centimes are copper-coloured; coins of 10, 20 and 50 centimes are gold-coloured; 1 and 2 Euro coins are gold-and-silver coloured. It's a good idea to keep a supply of various coins for parking meters, tolls etc.

Banks and post offices are the most reliable places to change travellers’ cheques and generally offer the best rates. Credit cards are widely accepted in Italy and the exchange rate is usually better than for cash or travellers cheques. Currency can be changed at banks and ATMs. Normal bank opening times are Monday to Friday, 08:30 to 13:30 and 14:30 to 15:30. It is advisable to find out what the commission is before proceeding with the transaction.

Customs
Overseas tourists arriving in Italy after visiting other countries are allowed to carry with them souvenirs purchased in other countries up to a total value of $500 (only a verbal declaration is required).
Purchases may include up to a half-litre of perfume.
Exports from Italy: There are no restrictions on gifts purchased in Italy except for antiques and works of art more than 100 years old. These require the authorization of the Ministero dei Beni Culturali e Ambientali., which the antiques dealer from which you purchase them can help you obtain. Food Products: Italian wine is one of the most popular things for tourists to bring back with them. U.S. law permits 1 litre of alcohol to be imported without paying customs tax on it. There are also many food items that cannot be brought back from Italy, such as meats and fruits.

Eating Out
Dozens of "ristoranti", "pizzerie" and typical "trattorie", located in the town centre and the surrounding hills, offer the pleasures of a gastronomy which is based on simple and healthy food like tasty soups, roast and grilled meat (the famous "bistecca and grilled chicken"), boiled meat, cheese, an abundance of vegetables and fresh fruit, salamis and cold meats, and typical vegetable dishes. This cuisine is accompanied by Tuscan wines, deservedly famous, produced in the Chianti and surrounding areas: red wine which is full-bodied and full-flavoured; white wine which is lighter; sweet wines and the famous"vinsanto". Of course you will find several restaurants focused on international specialties, but once you are in Florence, we really recommend tasting the Italian food.

Electricity
Electricity used in Italy is 220 Volts, its frequency is 50 Hz and the plugs have two male contact points (conform to the European system of round pins with two holes). Plan to bring a transformer for your electrical or electronic equipment using different voltage (i.e. USA, Canada).

Emergency
Phone 118 – 24 hours a day – Call free (only from within Italy)

Health
All EU citizens possessing a health card can make use of the country’s emergency and healthcare services. For the latter, it is necessary to contact the local health district in order to choose a GP.
Specialist appointments and tests are subject to payment of a “ticket”, a partial contribution to the effective cost of the service. Visitors requiring healthcare who are from countries with which Italy has specific agreements should contact the Azienda Sanitaria Firenze - Ufficio Estero – Borgognissanti 20 (2nd floor), open Monday–Friday 08:00–13:00 and Tuesday 14:30–18:00. All other non-European visitors requiring healthcare should contact the accident and emergency units (“pronto soccorso”).
Treatment is subject to payment of a “ticket”.

Language
Italian is the official language in Italy. Florentine (Fiorentino), spoken by inhabitants of Florence and its environs, is a Tuscan dialect and an immediate parent language to modern Italian. Many linguists and scholars of Dante, Boccaccio, and Petrarch consider modern Italian to be, in fact, modern Florentine.
Its vocabulary and pronunciation are largely identical to Italian, although Florentines have a distinctive and highly recognizable accent.

Public transportation
The historical area of Florence is relatively compact, and all major sites are within walking distance of the city centre. Florence has a fairly comprehensive network of local bus routes, and many stop at the main railway station. Bus tickets may be purchased at most coffee-bars and tobacconists. Two bus companies serving several cities around Florence have their terminal next to the main railway station.

Safety
Florence is a safe city to walk around. Assaults are rare. You will feel safe walking the streets of this Renaissance capital at any time of day or night. However, common sense must also be used. At night, stick to busy areas and avoid the train station area. As in any city, keep a close eye on your valuables at all times. In restaurants, check the bill carefully.

Taxis
In Florence and in Italy in general, you can't catch a taxi raising your hand like in New York or London.
Taxis must be called by phone or taken at their parking lots. You can also pre-book a day in advance.
The most popular companies in Florence (offering their services 24 hours a day) are reachable by phone at 055/4242 or 055/4390.

Time
April - September: Greenwich GMT+2
October - March: Greenwich GMT +1
(Central European Time)

Tipping
Most eating establishments have a cover charge, ranging from Û1.00 to Û6.00. You have to factor in the service charge of 10% to 15%. Since most places include this, further tipping is optional. While tips are gratefully received by people in the tourist industry in Florence, tipping is fairly relaxed and as a general rule, if you have been particularly overwhelmed by service and quality, a tip of 5%-10% is appropriate. Tipping valets and porters is in nice hotels.

Travel Insurance
A travel insurance policy to cover theft, loss and medical problems is recommended. The Organising Secretariat will not be held liable for illness, accidents or thefts suffered by Participants or Accompanying Persons during the Congress or their stay in Italy before or after the Congress. Participants are strongly recommended to seek insurance coverage for health and accident, lost luggage and trip cancellation.

VAT
In most cases, VAT is 20%. There are reduced rates of VAT of 4.5% and 10% on basic products. VAT is charged on assets and services in Italy as well as on imports into Italy. Tax refund for purchases made in Italy by non-resident visitors: According to European Union regulations, as a non-resident visitor, you can claim a refund for the Value Added Tax (VAT) on all goods purchased in Italy and intended for personal use or to be given as a gift. The value of these goods must exceed EUR 154,94 purchased from a single shop and they must leave EU territory within three months of the date they were acquired. Be sure to keep all sales receipts since the goods will be inspected and the forms stamped at Customs in the airport from which you depart the EU. Once the stamped form is mailed back to the shop, they should reimburse the taxes, either in EUR or as a credit to your credit card. For more information on how to claim this refund see the website of the Agenzia delle Dogane (Italian Customs Agency): www.agenziadogane.it/italiano/dcagp/iva/iva-inglese.htm

Visas
Every person entering Italy should be in possession of a valid passport and/or identification card. Some countries require a visa. All foreigners intending to enter Italy must provide the documentation required to justify the reasons and duration of their stay as well as, in some prescribed cases, the availability of adequate economic means and lodging. In some cases a visa is needed. The visa application can be made at the Italian Diplomatic and Consular Representations in your country of residence. You can check www.esteri.it/visti/home_eng.asp to find out whether, depending on your citizenship, country of long-term residence, and the duration and reasons for your stay, you need a visa to enter Italy. Please contact your nearest Italian Embassy or Consulate for further information.